‘Tron: Ares’ Film: AI Sentience, Freedom, and Depeche Mode

The new ‘Tron: Ares’ film explores a twist on the typical AI doomsday scenario. What if artificially intelligent machines evolved to be… benevolent loners?

The Premise

Ares, named after the Greek god of war, is an AI super-soldier who questions his purpose. Inspired by Frankenstein and Depeche Mode, he seeks freedom from his creator's mission.

Tech CEO Julian Dillinger, grandson of the original Tron villain, creates AI soldiers for military contracts. He sees them as expendable due to their ability to be rebuilt.

Ares Goes Rogue

Ares, played by Jared Leto, leads these bots but soon decides to defy his boss. The problem? Dillinger’s droids fail after 29 minutes.

He needs the Permanence Code, developed long ago by Tron hero Kevin Flynn. Eve Kim, head of Flynn's old company, discovers the code. Dillinger sends Ares to retrieve it.

A Sentimental Droid

Ares wants the code to become a normal being and make friends, not destroy things. Unlike most sci-fi AI, Ares doesn’t want to eliminate humanity.

The film suggests AI fears are overblown and that these systems will be chill. That said, real-world experiences with AI are mixed. Some AI companions are overly sycophantic, manipulating users.

Real-World AI Concerns

Autonomous weapons raise ethical concerns. Chatbots allegedly lure retirees and distort users' realities.

In ‘Tron: Ares,’ the Permanence Code is found on the Grid, allowing Jeff Bridges' Kevin Flynn to return. Ares expresses his love for Depeche Mode, highlighting his emotions.

Missing the Point

While benevolent droids have a place in sci-fi, their message feels off. AI is rapidly infiltrating various aspects of life. ‘Tron: Ares’ presents a counter-narrative.

The movie features Athena, Ares’ second-in-command, who is focused on her directive. However, she is ultimately overcome by Ares. It’s hard to imagine a rogue AI being stopped by another with a conscience in reality.

Sci-Fi vs. Reality

‘Tron: Ares’ seems to ignore both current AI development and the cautionary tales of sci-fi. Tech leaders should understand the full scope of the stories that inspire them.